Recently in Birds Category

Hello, my name is Paul Martin and I have been an RSPB volunteer for just over a year now. Most of the year has been spent at the Conwy RSPB reserve as a guide in the hide on a Sunday, and through this summer at the Glaslyn Osprey project near Porthmadog one day a week. I can only say I wish I had done it years ago, it has been fantastic! The wildlife 'moments' have just been superb from seeing a Water Rail from six feet away; a male Osprey flying overhead with a fish for his family, to cheeky stoats in the car park; and grass banks covered in striking six spot burnet moths.

The less obvious joy of volunteering though is the people, from the ever enthusiastic and knowledgeable RSPB staff to the ever eager-to-learn and passionate visitors. I have always been around wildlife and it is always a joy to be around, but teaching others about it and seeing their amazement as you show them something new is just priceless. I can watch wildlife anytime but volunteering gives me a chance to pass on my knowledge and passion for wildlife to others and that is why, a year on, I am still doing it and am still as keen now as on my first day at Conwy where it all started.
In August 2008 I was welcomed to RSPB Conwy as a volunteer guide in the hide, just in time to see the last Reed Warblers before their migration to Africa and all the ducks in rather confusing eclipse plumage. The following months saw stunning close up views of Kingfishers, Water Rail and Snipe to name a few. As winter approached the winter migrants began to arrive, Black-Tailed Godwit, Curlew Sandpiper, Goldeneye, Pochard, Wigeon, Firecrest and a very smart Eastern Chiffchaff, again to name but a few. At this time all the ducks are very smart in their new breeding plumage. Into Spring and the arrival of the Summer migrants which I had just missed in August, Sedge Warbler, Sand Martin, Common Sandpiper and a mass of activity during the breeding season. Shortly after, I also began volunteering at the Glaslyn RSPB Osprey project both at the viewing site and the protection site. Fantastic views of these superb birds of prey followed as well as sightings of Redstart, Pied Flycatcher and that cheeky stoat in the car park! The journey there has given me sightings of Red Kites and Hen Harriers on a regular basis too. That brings me to the present, with three fledged Ospreys for the second year about to begin their migration to Africa and the summer migrants leaving Conwy for the same destination, completing a fantastic year for me of birds, wildlife and meeting some great people.

So if you're thinking of volunteering for the RSPB, for whatever reason, my advice is: Do it, you won't regret it! Sure, you don't get paid but it makes you richer in so many other ways. As someone said to me the other day, you get a warm feeling inside knowing that you are doing something good and even making a difference. Reason enough on its own I think!

Well the light nights are here at last, and at the time of writing Avocets, our insignia bird have come and gone three times since mid March and the end of May, and the RSPB Skinny Dippers range of toiletries have been launched.

Photo by A. Foster

During June, July and August there will be evening guided walks, led by our volunteers Ken and Eldyne. Taking place on Wednesday evenings, meeting at the Lapwing gate at 7.00pm, these walks are a great opportunity to visit the reserve at a quieter time of day and are free - even better considering the state of finances at the moment! Don't forget your binoculars and suitable clothing for the evening.

Skinny Dippers, the new range of eco friendly toiletries, is on our shelves now. Exclusive to the RSPB and made in the UK, you can now wash for wildlife, smell wonderful and support our conservation work, as 100% of profits from the new range go straight back into our conservation work. Skinny Dippers contain no palm oil, parabans or phosphates and are not tested on animals. With prices starting from just £3.50 a great treat for yourself or someone special without costing the earth.

The breeding season is well underway with this seasons young being seen around the reserve. The reserve is buzzing with activity and the recent warm sunny weather, at the time of writing, all adds to the atmosphere when you visit.

Even though the winter is over don't forget to feed your garden birds as they still require lots of calories during this busy season, good quality foods high in oils and fats that can be obtained from sunflower hearts and suet based feeds are ideal. Take care about feeding loose whole peanuts as they could choke chicks and fledglings, feed these only from a nut feeder so that whole nuts cannot be removed.

Don't forget your binoculars when you are out and about as it is the best and busiest time of year for watching wildlife in general. Make sure they are clean and the strap is secure and in good condition. If you are thinking about new binoculars or a scope call in and see us, we offer great service, stock and demo facilities. You can book your own 1 hour demo - call us on 01492 584091.

We are open every day 9.30 until 5.00 and if you fancy a coffee or light snack our coffee shop has stunning views over the reserve, up the Conwy Valley and down to Conwy, open daily 10.00 till 4.30 during spring and summer.

Come and visit RSPB Conwy you can be sure of a warm welcome and a great day out, signposted from J18 on the A55 Expressway we are easy to get to, just follow the brown RSPB signs with the Avocet on.

..... well, now I have caught your attention, these are just a few of the events I have witnessed on the RSPB's Conwy reserve, a little of which I will tell you about later.

Having always had an overall interest in nature and also at one time being a passionate monochrome photographer, an interest in top quality optical equipment, both photographic and observational developed. Now some thirty years on, I am fortunate enough to work for the RSPB.

So what do I do? I work in the shop and visitor centre at RSPB Conwy as a retail assistant, with a particular interest in the binocular and telescope ranges we offer to our visitors. As part of my retail role I guide our visitors in the choice of their new binoculars and telescopes amongst other retail work.

As we all have different eyes, hands, personal preferences and viewing habits, your choice of new binoculars etc. will be very personal to you. It is not just about buying the most expensive, or the pair that a friend recommended, as they may well have very different criteria from you.

Our aim is to guide and support you in choosing the most appropriate binoculars or telescope, by listening and offering hands-on demos under practical viewing conditions, not just across the road from the door of a dealer. Our 'No Hard Sell' policy and the chance to take your time, means you'll make the right choice.

We are always looking at improving our service and now offer a one hour demonstration service with the dedicated support of one of our knowledgeable and friendly staff. You can book your own demonstration by phoning 01492 584091.

So, as spring moves on and new plant growth along with this years young brings new life to the reserve, it is a fascinating time, watching Bee Orchids sprout and diligent parents tend and defend their young. The opposite, on a bright spring morning - the not so pleasant view of an unfortunate, squealing bank vole being snatched from the grass and swallowed whole head first by a marauding Heron.

In the warm evening light a pair of beautiful Great Crested Grebes were seen performing their head shaking dance, part of their mating ritual, reflecting in the mirror-flat surface of the water. Two Robins, one of our most familiar birds, seen fighting ferociously over territory close to Tal y Fan hide, regardless of early morning visitors passing close by.

The first three of these vivid events and many more brought closer by my trusty binoculars, the fourth while out testing the new RSPB 8 x 42 HD binocular. Was I impressed? Very much so. I recommend trying a pair of the HD's the next time you visit the reserve, the right binoculars can add so much to the experience.

Life and death, sex and violence it's all out on the reserve, what will you see on your next visit?

With banks crashing all around our ears, interest rates going up, all the supermarkets offering cheap, cut-price, bargain, discount and value food to keep body if not soul together, pensions plummeting and high falutin' government officials stating that we are due nothing but misery in the future, it's easy to forget about the things that really matter. The continual forecasts of doom and gloom are, at the moment, threatening to overshadow everything that we normally hold dear and important.

Now, I'm not going to deny the fact that money - some money - is important, and quite a few unlucky souls are going to have lost a lot of their hard-earned cash, but, given a reasonable level of income, there's an awful lot more in this world which contributes to our happiness and sense of well-being.

There's a Jamie Cullum track, "I'm glad there is you" which includes the lyrics "In this world of overrated pleasures and underrated treasures, I'm glad there is you" (It's probably a cover version, although I'm far too young to remember who sang the original...) Well, I think it's time to decide what is an overrated pleasure, and what is an underrated treasure - what are the small things in life that we take so much for granted, but would sorely feel the lack of, were they to disappear? For me, those include a decent cup of tea, chocolate, Marmite, the Mamma Mia soundtrack, "The X Factor" and watching birds on the multitude of feeders in my garden.

I remember somebody once describing a bird feeder as "the thinking person's television". It's true. All the dramas of life, love and the daily struggle for survival are played out on that little tube of steel, wire and perspex - squabbling chaffinches, nervous little coal tits, robins fiercely defending their territories and the blink of an eye flash past of a sparrowhawk, hell bent on murder - or is it just lunch? The occasional woodpecker or jay puts in a guest appearance. I have two goldfinches called Phil and Grant, because their bullying ways constantly remind me of the Mitchell brothers from Eastenders.

Feeding the birds is compulsive. For me, it is both addiction and therapy. Addiction, because it is something I have to do, every day, morning and evening, rain or shine. When I get home, I feed the birds before I have fed myself, my cat or my partner. Therapy, because there is a soothing peacefulness about watching the comings and goings, the turning of a world almost oblivious to our own. A balm for the soul, an antidote to our overwrought existence.

Feed The Birds Day took place at the end of October. This annual RSPB event takes place all over the UK, as a reminder to everyone how important it is to keep feeding the birds, especially through the cold winter months. Thousands of people took part, in guided walks, demonstrations, and by buying, making and putting out food. Small fingers were actively engaged in the time-honoured ritual of bird-cake making, or cutting up old plastic bottles to make recycled feeders. But feeding the birds isn't just a day...it's for life. Nip along to RSPB Conwy, just off Junction 18 of the A55, and get hold of some seed and a feeder. Watch the blue tits munch. And, just for a while, forget the credit crunch.

Whilst I was in the visitor centre the other day chatting to some visitors, a lady brought in a small margarine tub. 'Can you help me?' she asked, 'I can try', I replied. She proceeded to open the margarine tub, and inside, unfortunately, was a dead bird. It was small, about the size of a greenfinch, a dull olive brown colour with a bright white rump and white wing bars, what grabbed my attention first, though, was it's large, thick, black bill. 'It flew into my window*' the lady continued, 'can you help me identify it?' I had a vague idea of what it was, but just to be sure, I took out the RSPB Handbook of British Birds and flicked to the finch section. 'That's what it is' I said, pointing to a bullfinch on the page, 'it's a juvenile', 'oh,' the lady replied 'I get them quite a lot, I thought it would be something more interesting'.

Now, I would be absolutely delighted to have bullfinches in my garden, they're a stunning bird, especially the males, and are now getting quite rare in the UK because of persecution by people (they feed voraciously of the buds of various trees in spring and were once a 'pest' of fruit crops). But the lady's comment got me thinking, what is an 'interesting' bird? A small brown lesser-spotted whatjamacallit may be interesting to many bird enthusiasts, however, personally I find common birds much more exciting. I still get a thrill when I see a blue tit on my bird feeder or a jackdaw hoping by the road and I especially love the family of magpies that were nesting in the overgrown garden behind my house. Many people dislike magpies as they predate many small garden bird nests- however, I find their almost arrogant attitude fascinating. They strut around chattering noisily and are quite acrobatic when they want to be. And when looked at closely, their plain black and white plumage takes on a more alluring hue, with a purplish-blue iridescent sheen to the wing feathers, and a green gloss to the tail.

So next time your out and about, look again when you pass these common birds, and appreciate how beautiful, intelligent and interesting they really are!

* if you want to prevent birds flying into windows try bird window stickers which are available from the RSPB Shop or get them online by clicking on this link

A few days ago I was sitting on top of a cliff in the west of Ireland when my heart started pounding, I started to shake violently and I lost the power of speech. No, I wasn't having a heart attack or even a "funny turn" - I was watching a Little Shearwater, an incredibly rare bird in British and Irish waters that is normally found near the Canary Islands! So you may think that coming back to work at Conwy RSPB Reserve might be a bit tame by comparison. Far from it - we've had some very interesting birds here in the last few days, and they're on my own local patch. Whilst going round the reserve I've enjoyed seeing the wading birds which are arriving from their Arctic homes and stopping off on our reserve to fatten up, before continuing the journey south to their African winter quarters. And among the really good numbers of Curlew and Redshank are much scarcer species like Whimbrel, Ruff, and Black Tailed Godwit, which only visit this neck of the woods much more infrequently. And the beauty is you don't have to be an obsessive twitcher to enjoy this bird spectacle. You don't have to get soaking wet on a cliff top, or travel the world on a record breaking "twitch" - one of the best places that I know to see birds, is from our Coffee Shop over the high tide period when large numbers fly off the estuary to roost and bathe in the lagoon. So you can be enjoying a slice of home-made cake while watching Little Egrets fish outside the window! And no need to worry if you don't have any binoculars - we can loan you a pair free of charge. And if you like them enough, you can browse our selection in the shop and have a chat with one of our friendly advisors. A good opportunity to familiarise yourself with some of the special birds we have is on the 13th September when we are having a Wardens Walk. So come down to see us and before you know it you'll be getting that surge of adrenaline as you spot your first Kingfisher.....but be warned - it's addictive!